Childhood trauma therapy is essential for addressing and healing the emotional wounds inflicted during a person’s early years.

Healing from childhood trauma and emotional abuse can be challenging but is certainly possible. Through therapy, the lonely, scared, shattered child within can transform into a connected, bold, and confident adult.

While there are different therapeutic modalities within childhood trauma therapy, exploring childhood using certain techniques can significantly help trauma treatment aid recovery and help individuals lead healthier, more fulfilled lives. For example:

• One of the most effective treatments for mental health symptoms of childhood trauma is Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). It mainly benefits children, teens, and adolescents experiencing emotional difficulties from traumatic events.
• Trauma-Focused therapy is another approach to therapy that emphasizes understanding how the traumatic experience impacts a child’s mental, behavioral, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is also a powerful tool for dealing with childhood trauma. EMDR therapy can help change how your brain processes painful memories, making it easier to deal with past traumas.

At Online Mental Health Review Team, we understand childhood trauma’s profound impact on an individual’s adult life. Our team comprises experienced mental health professionals, including former therapists and counselors who have worked in residential mental health facilities.

We’re armed with the knowledge, empathy, and resources needed to guide you toward the best therapeutic options near you. We believe in making mental health resources accessible and understandable, so you can make informed decisions that lead to healing and growth.

This article gives you an overview of childhood trauma and provides resources to heal.

Quickly Book High Quality, Local Doctors Who Take Your Insurance

Learn More

Understanding Childhood Trauma

Childhood trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that occurs in a child’s life. According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, these experiences can trigger strong emotions and physical reactions that persist long after the traumatic event itself, leading to feelings of terror, helplessness, or fear.

• Examples of traumatic events include neglect, psychological, physical, or sexual abuse, natural disasters, terrorism, and community and school violence.
• The signs of childhood trauma in adults can vary greatly. Still, they may include recurring nightmares, flashbacks, feeling like they’re in constant danger, and struggling to establish and maintain healthy relationships due to trust issues and fear of being hurt.
• Unresolved childhood trauma can manifest in various ways, including emotional symptoms such as depression, hypervigilance, spiritual confusion, anxiety, fear, anger, feelings of abandonment, and grief. One of the lasting effects of passionate responses to experienced childhood trauma is negative self-beliefs, or what we call “stuck points.”

Understanding that childhood trauma can profoundly impact an individual’s life, affecting their relationships, mental health, and overall well-being, is crucial. However, it’s equally important to know that help is available. With the proper support, individuals can navigate past traumas, develop their coping strategies and mechanisms, and ultimately lead healthier, more fulfilled lives.

Childhood Trauma Symptoms

The signs of childhood trauma in adults can vary greatly. Still, they may include recurring nightmares, flashbacks, feeling like they’re in constant danger, and struggling to establish and maintain healthy relationships due to trust issues and fear of being hurt.

Unresolved childhood trauma can manifest in various ways according to SAMSHA, such as emotional symptoms such as depression, hypervigilance, anxiety, fear, anger, feelings of abandonment, and grief. One of the lasting effects of passionate responses to trauma is negative self-beliefs, or what we call “stuck points.”

Overall, child trauma can have a significant impact on a person’s mental and physical well-being. Here are some common symptoms associated with childhood trauma:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): This can manifest as reliving the traumatic event through flashbacks or nightmares.
• Avoidance: Individuals may try to avoid reminders of the traumatic experience, such as places, people, or activities.
• Anxiety: Childhood trauma can lead to excessive worry, feelings of restlessness, and a constant state of unease.
• Depression: Persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, and feelings of hopelessness are common symptoms of depression related to childhood trauma.
• Anger: Intense and uncontrollable anger can be a reaction to unresolved childhood trauma.
• Trust issues: Individuals who have experienced childhood trauma may struggle with trusting others, including forming close relationships.
• Self-destructive behaviors: Some individuals may engage in self-harming behaviors or develop unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with the trauma.

These symptoms can vary from person to person and may persist into adulthood. It’s important to note that childhood trauma can also manifest as physical symptoms, such as somatic complaints like stomachaches, headaches, and other unexplained physical pains.

Approaches to Childhood Trauma Therapy

Childhood trauma can have lasting effects that linger into adulthood, but its impact can be significantly mitigated with suitable therapeutic approaches. There are several recognized therapies for treating childhood trauma, including:

1. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): This approach helps individuals understand and change thought patterns that lead to problematic behaviors.
2. Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT): TF-CBT is a specific form of CBT designed to help children, adolescents, and their caregivers overcome trauma-related difficulties.
3. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): This therapy aims to help individuals process traumatic memories and reduce their long-term impact
4. Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE): PE is often used to treat PTSD and involves gradually confronting trauma-related thoughts, feelings, and situations to reduce their power.

It’s important to note that the best approach depends on the individual’s unique circumstances and needs. For example, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is often identified as the best therapy for adults healing from childhood trauma who struggle with overthinking. On the other hand, EMDR is best for adults who struggle to talk about their feelings.

Finding the right therapist and approach can be a journey, but it’s worth undertaking for the potential benefits. If you need therapy, consider these options and consult a professional to determine which approach might work best for you. Christian Trauma counseling is another viable option as well.

Please know keeping an evidence-based journal, and utilizing journaling prompts for healing may complement any of the therapeutic approaches listed below.

Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a cognitive-behavioral Therapy that effectively reduces the severity of PTSD, especially among individuals who have survived childhood abuse. This treatment focuses on helping patients understand and change thought patterns that lead to problematic behaviors.

A study published in JAMA Psychiatry compared CPT with Dialectical Behavior Therapy Prolonged Exposure (DBT-PTSD) and found both treatments to be effective, with some indication that DBT-PTSD might have a slight edge in complex presentations of PTSD.

CPT has also been successfully adapted for specific populations. For instance, it’s been used effectively for incarcerated adolescents with PTSD and military personnel with and without child abuse histories. Moreover, a developmentally adapted form of CPT has shown promise for youth with PTSD symptoms after childhood sexual assault and physical abuse.

Additionally, Cognitive Processing Therapy for Sexual Abuse (CPT-SA), a variant of CPT, has been developed specifically for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. This approach combines elements from cognitive-behavioral therapy and PTSD treatments to address the unique needs of this population.

In summary, these findings suggest that CPT is a viable and versatile option for addressing the impact of childhood trauma. Its adaptability makes it suitable for a wide range of individuals with unique experiences and needs.

Narrative exposure therapy (NET)

Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) is a short-term, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy used to treat individuals with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), particularly those who have experienced multiple traumatic events. It’s been found to be a practical approach to treating trauma and childhood trauma.

With the therapist’s assistance, the therapy involves the individual constructing a chronological narrative of their life, focusing mainly on traumatic experiences. This process helps integrate trauma-related memories into a coherent narrative, allowing the person to process complex trauma and come to terms with their experiences.

NET has been adapted into a child-friendly version, KIDNET, used to treat traumatized children and adolescents. Studies have shown that this approach can effectively treat PTSD symptoms in children who have experienced war and violence.

In addition, research indicates that NET can benefit immigrant children traumatized by war. A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial aims to explore the effectiveness and mechanisms of NET change in this population.

Overall, it seems that Narrative Exposure Therapy is a promising approach for treating childhood trauma, with potential applicability to children traumatized in various circumstances.

Inner child work

Inner child work is a therapeutic approach that addresses childhood trauma and its impact on adult behavior. It’s based on the concept that our inner child, a subconscious part of ourselves, holds onto the experiences, emotions, and trauma from our formative years.

The process typically involves:

• It is recognizing and acknowledging the inner child.
• It is understanding its influence on our behaviors and emotions.
• It validates its experiences.

This can help individuals gain awareness of their emotional triggers and unmet needs, promoting feelings of autonomy and competence.

Inner child work is not a single treatment method but a process that can be incorporated into different therapeutic approaches. It’s often used with other therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral or psychodynamic therapy, to help individuals understand and heal their emotional and physical pain.

The goals of inner child work vary, but the ultimate aim is to comfort and heal the inner child, reducing feelings of sadness, anger, abandonment, or other emotional distress. This can improve self-compassion, emotional regulation, coping skills, and overall mental health.

Here are some steps to start inner child work:

1. Acknowledge your inner child: Recognize that some may still hold onto childhood experiences.
2. Understand its influence: Notice how your inner child might influence your current behaviors, emotions, or relationships.
3. Validate your inner child: Offer validation and understanding to your inner child’s experiences and emotions.
4. Practice self-compassion: Be kind and gentle with yourself as you navigate this process.

How do I find a therapist who offers in-person sessions?

Finding a therapist who offers in-person sessions can be accomplished through several steps:

1. Use Therapy Directories: Websites such as Psychology Today provide comprehensive listings of therapists in New Jersey, many of whom offer in-person sessions. You can filter the results according to your needs.
2. Visit Online Platforms: Some online platforms like Zencare and BetterHelp list therapists offering in-person and online sessions.
3. Check Local Counseling Centers: Many local counseling centers, such as Thriveworks, offer in-person sessions. They provide details about the therapists, their specialties, and the insurance they accept.
4. Use Appointment Booking Platforms: Websites like Zocdoc not only help you find therapists but also allow you to book appointments online.
5. Leverage Matching Tools: Mental Health Match offers a free tool that personalizes your search and finds a therapist in New Jersey who can best support you.

Before choosing a therapist, reading their bios and understanding their specialties is essential. Many mental health professionals include psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, podiatrists, and family therapists. Making introductory phone calls also ensures they fit your needs well.

Childhood Trauma Therapist Near You Conclusion

In conclusion, childhood trauma therapy is crucial in helping individuals recover from early life adversities, equipping them with the tools they can develop coping skills they need to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

You may also want to consider family therapy as well (if struggling with family issues and have also interested in healing trauma). Identifying past and current family roles can often help bring relationships into harmony.

We’d love to hear from you! Please let us know your mental health goals or comment if you have questions about finding a childhood trauma therapist near you. Also, if there’s a particular mental health platform, app, or course you’d like our team at Online Mental Health Reviews to explore next, let us know — your suggestion could be our next review!

Get Matched With A Therapist With BetterHelp (Sponsored)

Sign-Up

If You Are In Crisis

If you’re experiencing a crisis, immediate help is essential. Dial 911 right away if you’re contemplating self-harm or harm to others. Another available resource is the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, accessible 24/7 by dialing 988. For mental health or substance abuse issues, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a free and confidential helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357), providing treatment options and information around the clock every day of the year.